Detailed Agenda with Sessions
All times are listed in Eastern Daylight Time.
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Sunday, June 28
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Monday, June 29
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Tuesday, June 30
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Wednesday, July 1
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11:00-11:45 AM Self-Care Session: Walking Group
This self-care session will encourage you to find a safe place to walk outside while talking with other conference attendees and listening to some great music. Join in the fun!
12:30-1:30 PM Incoming State Presidents
This session is for the incoming state AE presidents or chairs who will be serving in their role for the 2020-2021 school year.
2:00-3:30 PM Union Communities
2:00-2:30: Union Communities Kickoff
2:30-3:30: Union Communities Small Group Meetings
Participants will be split into small groups and led by an aspiring educator leader. These groups provide an open environment for authentic discussion about critical issues in education.
2:30-3:30: Union Communities Small Group Meetings
Participants will be split into small groups and led by an aspiring educator leader. These groups provide an open environment for authentic discussion about critical issues in education.
4:00-4:30 PM Amplifying Our Voices for the 2020 Election
This meeting will provide guidance to leaders at the chapter and state level regarding political action and the 2020 election.
5:00-6:00 PM Candidate Meet & Greet
Use this time to meet and get to know the candidates running for Aspiring Educators Chairperson, NEA Board of Directors, and Resolutions Committee.
Information on announced Aspiring Educator Candidates can be found here.
Information on announced Aspiring Educator Candidates can be found here.
7:00-9:00 PM Opening Session and Social
Kick off the virtual Aspiring Educators Conference with NEA Vice President, Becky Pringle and DJ Spinderella.
9:45-10:30 AM Self-Care Session: Zumba
This self-care session will get you moving for the first full day of conference activities! Start your day off right with Zumba.
1:00-2:00 PM Professional Development Sessions Round #1
Surviving Your First 20 Days: Essential Classroom Management Skills for New Teachers
Presented by Raymond Boyd
Raymond Boyd is a 2nd Year ELA 6th Grade Teacher. He previously served as an NEA-SP Advisory Committee Member. Raymond is also a past NEA-AE Election Chair, STEA President and served on the TEA Board of Directors.
Session Description
This session will provide participants with a variety of strategies to begin their first year. They will be guided through a variety of effective techniques used in many school districts to help new teachers survive their first 20 days!
Understanding Trauma In and Out of the Classroom
Presented by Caren Burns and CJ Gebhardt
Caren Burns is an anti-racist educator who teaches sixth grade in Salt Lake City, Utah and volunteers as an advisor to the Utah Education Association's Aspiring Educator program. Caren is a trauma-informed trainer of trainers for the Utah Education Association, was elected to the Executive Committee for the Salt Lake County Democrats, and is a Utah Hope Street Fellow. She is a white ally member of her local Black Lives Matter Chapter and has worked with her school district and local association to bring trainings on trauma informed practices, and racial and social justice to her school district.
CJ Gebhardt is an elementary educator who teaches sixth grade in West Valley, Utah and was the 2018-2019 Chair of the Utah Education Association Aspiring Educators program (UEA-AE). CJ was a mentor to the UEA-AE program this year and was a Policy Ambassador for the Utah Education Association. She incorporated trauma-informed learning into her first year of teaching in a low socioeconomic school while handling distance learning.
Session Description
This session will provide an informative combination of presentations and hands on activities. Participants will begin by learning about the ACEs and the impacts of trauma on the brain, then move into concrete examples of how to help students in trauma regulate emotions and build positive relationships. During our session, the presenter will model a peace circle, mindfulness techniques, and restorative practices. We will also be making a take home guide that can be referenced for future classrooms or leadership scenarios. This is a fast paced and informative session with hands-on activities and practices that can be used daily in a classroom or in a variety of leadership situations.
Building Relationships with Students and Families
Presented by Kali Davis
Kali Davis is an instructional coach in Pinellas County, FL. Her ten years of experience in education includes classroom teacher (2nd and 4th grades), literacy coach, new teacher coach, and instructional coach. Starting her NEA membership as an Aspiring Educator, four years prior to her first teaching job, she’s moved from member to State Student President and active teacher member to the Florida Education Association (FEA) Executive Cabinet. Her wide array of experiences has made her a fierce advocate for not only students, but also for Aspiring Educators and Early Career Educators.
Session Description
Educators can and should identify and implement procedures and routines, effective classroom management systems-- but none of it will matter if you don’t have meaningful relationships with students. Participants will walk away with research-based, high-impact strategies to build relationships with students and families that will result in increased student-learning.
The Charge for Social Justice: Early Career Educators & Leadership
Presented by Krishawna Goins
Krishawna Goins is an early career elementary educator in Virginia. A graduate of The Pennsylvania State University, she was very involved in college serving 4 years as local and regional PAC coordinator, interning for The Walt Disney Company, and working closely within university leadership to impact change on policy and curriculum for aspiring educators. She has since leveraged her leadership qualities and passion to become the Equity Leader for her school where she supports teachers through professional development and coaching. Krishawna’s classroom is an environment where she bridges project based learning and social justice to nurture a community of change-makers.
Session Description
In this session we’ll see how first year teachers and early career educators can use their unique passions and expertise to affect real change in schools. Participants will explore their own leadership identity, learning strategies for managing up, resources and best practices in social justice in the classroom to build their own tool belt, dive deep into a curricular planning simulation. Educators will be challenged to infuse lesson plans aligned with Common Core or state standards with new and impactful Social Justice learning outcomes. Working in small groups they will learn to advocate for changes they made and begin exercising their voices and leadership to inspire others to implement their changes. Through this simulation, aspiring educators will begin using the resources received and leverage knowledge of instructional planning to begin advocating for socially just practices within schools.
Session Link: Early Career Advocacy Journal
Creating Powerful Partnerships: School, Community, & Home
Presented by Lindsey Jensen
Lindsey Jensen is the 2018 Illinois Teacher of the Year, and the 2020 NEA Foundation of Teaching Excellence Illinois Awardee. She has over fifteen years of educational experience, holds a Bachelor’s degree in Speech Communication from Southern Illinois University, a Master’s degree in Secondary English Education from Oakland City University, and a Doctorate in Teaching and Learning from Illinois State University. She serves on the Illinois State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board as an Illinois Education Association representative. Ms. Jensen has delivered over 100 keynotes at Northwestern University, SXSWEdu, The National Association of Teacher Educators Conference, The Raising Student Achievement Conference, and WITCon. She is a proud public school teacher and Academic Dean in Dwight, Illinois.
Session Description
This session is dedicated to equipping future educators with the necessary skills to cultivate powerful partnerships between school, community, and home. Focus is on effective family engagement: a full, equal, and equitable partnership among families, educators, and community partners to promote children’s learning and development from birth through college and career. Simulation Activity: a small group exercise will require participants to examine their core beliefs/biases. Focus is on how partnering with families and communities will: contribute to one’s own sense of accomplishment; reduce their feelings of isolation; break down race and class hierarchies; creative productive teams of allies that surround and support the whole child; cultivate mutual respect between school and home; transform the instinct to be defensive; and break down the “us-versus-them” dynamic that is too prevalent in education.
Racial and Social Justice in the Classroom
Presented by Turquoise LeJeune Parker
Turquoise LeJeune Parker is a graduate of North Carolina Central University, the Vice President of the Durham Association of Educators, and Media Coordinator and Racial and Social Justice teacher of Mrs. Parker’s Professors at Lakewood Elementary School in Durham, North Carolina. She was a key organizer both in NCAE’s Organize 2020 caucus—the strategic force behind the mobilization--and in Durham County—the first local to organize and inspire other locals to join the mobilization. Mrs. Parker has spoken at The Harvard Law School twice, Democracy Alliance Conference, Boston Teachers Union Conference, Staff Development for Educators National Conference, Guest lecturer at several universities and many other events.
Session Description
This session is geared toward educators who want to be intentional about the racial and social diversity inclusion in their instruction and learning community. Session information and activities will enhance teachers’ understanding of the impact that biased pedagogy has had on one’s instruction, building knowledge to challenge and change this, and mapping a plan to do so. Increase your skills as a passionate, generous, racial and social justice teacher.
Fierce Conversations
Presented by Mary Proud
Mary began teaching Head Start in Washington, DC. As a single mom, she quickly found herself spending more money on her ‘babies’ than her own babies and the appreciation of all that our public schools must provide was realized. She took her advocacy to Florida where she has worked with Florida Education Association for 25 years. Mary spent the past 8 years as State Coordinator for Student FEA and co-founded FYRE (Florida's Young Remarkable Educators) both of which she now passes on to alumni of the programs. With 11 grandchildren and a 9-yr old son, Public Education is Mary’s personal and professional passion!
Session Description
Referencing the book “Fierce Conversations”, by Susan Scott, we will review seven principles that serve as a guide to tackling your toughest challenges and enriching relationships with everyone important to your success and happiness through principles, tools, and assignments designed to direct you through your first fierce conversations with yourself on to the most challenging and important conversations facing you. Participants will learn & practice opening statements to tough conversations they need to have.
Building Positive Relationships through Restorative Justice
Presented by Tyrone Terry
Tyrone Terry is a veteran educator with 33 years of teaching experience. He coaches early Career Educators with a focus on educators of color. He is a licensed practitioner in Restorative Practices and is passionate about his work which includes Peace Circles and Restorative Practices. Mr. Terry is currently a Teaching Fellow at the National Education Association (NEA), in the Teacher Quality Department. His work at NEA includes his contribution to the Aspiring Educators program.
Session Description
Restorative discipline practices-- such as peer mediation, community service and post-conflict resolution help students learn from their mistakes, and foster positive, healthy school climates. In such environments, respect and compassion are used along with restorative theory and methods to deepen one’s practice as a restorative practitioner. The methods used include self-inquiry and circle work. Participants will be introduced to why the use of Talking Pieces are important during restorative circles to engage in courageous conversations.
Presented by Raymond Boyd
Raymond Boyd is a 2nd Year ELA 6th Grade Teacher. He previously served as an NEA-SP Advisory Committee Member. Raymond is also a past NEA-AE Election Chair, STEA President and served on the TEA Board of Directors.
Session Description
This session will provide participants with a variety of strategies to begin their first year. They will be guided through a variety of effective techniques used in many school districts to help new teachers survive their first 20 days!
Understanding Trauma In and Out of the Classroom
Presented by Caren Burns and CJ Gebhardt
Caren Burns is an anti-racist educator who teaches sixth grade in Salt Lake City, Utah and volunteers as an advisor to the Utah Education Association's Aspiring Educator program. Caren is a trauma-informed trainer of trainers for the Utah Education Association, was elected to the Executive Committee for the Salt Lake County Democrats, and is a Utah Hope Street Fellow. She is a white ally member of her local Black Lives Matter Chapter and has worked with her school district and local association to bring trainings on trauma informed practices, and racial and social justice to her school district.
CJ Gebhardt is an elementary educator who teaches sixth grade in West Valley, Utah and was the 2018-2019 Chair of the Utah Education Association Aspiring Educators program (UEA-AE). CJ was a mentor to the UEA-AE program this year and was a Policy Ambassador for the Utah Education Association. She incorporated trauma-informed learning into her first year of teaching in a low socioeconomic school while handling distance learning.
Session Description
This session will provide an informative combination of presentations and hands on activities. Participants will begin by learning about the ACEs and the impacts of trauma on the brain, then move into concrete examples of how to help students in trauma regulate emotions and build positive relationships. During our session, the presenter will model a peace circle, mindfulness techniques, and restorative practices. We will also be making a take home guide that can be referenced for future classrooms or leadership scenarios. This is a fast paced and informative session with hands-on activities and practices that can be used daily in a classroom or in a variety of leadership situations.
Building Relationships with Students and Families
Presented by Kali Davis
Kali Davis is an instructional coach in Pinellas County, FL. Her ten years of experience in education includes classroom teacher (2nd and 4th grades), literacy coach, new teacher coach, and instructional coach. Starting her NEA membership as an Aspiring Educator, four years prior to her first teaching job, she’s moved from member to State Student President and active teacher member to the Florida Education Association (FEA) Executive Cabinet. Her wide array of experiences has made her a fierce advocate for not only students, but also for Aspiring Educators and Early Career Educators.
Session Description
Educators can and should identify and implement procedures and routines, effective classroom management systems-- but none of it will matter if you don’t have meaningful relationships with students. Participants will walk away with research-based, high-impact strategies to build relationships with students and families that will result in increased student-learning.
The Charge for Social Justice: Early Career Educators & Leadership
Presented by Krishawna Goins
Krishawna Goins is an early career elementary educator in Virginia. A graduate of The Pennsylvania State University, she was very involved in college serving 4 years as local and regional PAC coordinator, interning for The Walt Disney Company, and working closely within university leadership to impact change on policy and curriculum for aspiring educators. She has since leveraged her leadership qualities and passion to become the Equity Leader for her school where she supports teachers through professional development and coaching. Krishawna’s classroom is an environment where she bridges project based learning and social justice to nurture a community of change-makers.
Session Description
In this session we’ll see how first year teachers and early career educators can use their unique passions and expertise to affect real change in schools. Participants will explore their own leadership identity, learning strategies for managing up, resources and best practices in social justice in the classroom to build their own tool belt, dive deep into a curricular planning simulation. Educators will be challenged to infuse lesson plans aligned with Common Core or state standards with new and impactful Social Justice learning outcomes. Working in small groups they will learn to advocate for changes they made and begin exercising their voices and leadership to inspire others to implement their changes. Through this simulation, aspiring educators will begin using the resources received and leverage knowledge of instructional planning to begin advocating for socially just practices within schools.
Session Link: Early Career Advocacy Journal
Creating Powerful Partnerships: School, Community, & Home
Presented by Lindsey Jensen
Lindsey Jensen is the 2018 Illinois Teacher of the Year, and the 2020 NEA Foundation of Teaching Excellence Illinois Awardee. She has over fifteen years of educational experience, holds a Bachelor’s degree in Speech Communication from Southern Illinois University, a Master’s degree in Secondary English Education from Oakland City University, and a Doctorate in Teaching and Learning from Illinois State University. She serves on the Illinois State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board as an Illinois Education Association representative. Ms. Jensen has delivered over 100 keynotes at Northwestern University, SXSWEdu, The National Association of Teacher Educators Conference, The Raising Student Achievement Conference, and WITCon. She is a proud public school teacher and Academic Dean in Dwight, Illinois.
Session Description
This session is dedicated to equipping future educators with the necessary skills to cultivate powerful partnerships between school, community, and home. Focus is on effective family engagement: a full, equal, and equitable partnership among families, educators, and community partners to promote children’s learning and development from birth through college and career. Simulation Activity: a small group exercise will require participants to examine their core beliefs/biases. Focus is on how partnering with families and communities will: contribute to one’s own sense of accomplishment; reduce their feelings of isolation; break down race and class hierarchies; creative productive teams of allies that surround and support the whole child; cultivate mutual respect between school and home; transform the instinct to be defensive; and break down the “us-versus-them” dynamic that is too prevalent in education.
Racial and Social Justice in the Classroom
Presented by Turquoise LeJeune Parker
Turquoise LeJeune Parker is a graduate of North Carolina Central University, the Vice President of the Durham Association of Educators, and Media Coordinator and Racial and Social Justice teacher of Mrs. Parker’s Professors at Lakewood Elementary School in Durham, North Carolina. She was a key organizer both in NCAE’s Organize 2020 caucus—the strategic force behind the mobilization--and in Durham County—the first local to organize and inspire other locals to join the mobilization. Mrs. Parker has spoken at The Harvard Law School twice, Democracy Alliance Conference, Boston Teachers Union Conference, Staff Development for Educators National Conference, Guest lecturer at several universities and many other events.
Session Description
This session is geared toward educators who want to be intentional about the racial and social diversity inclusion in their instruction and learning community. Session information and activities will enhance teachers’ understanding of the impact that biased pedagogy has had on one’s instruction, building knowledge to challenge and change this, and mapping a plan to do so. Increase your skills as a passionate, generous, racial and social justice teacher.
Fierce Conversations
Presented by Mary Proud
Mary began teaching Head Start in Washington, DC. As a single mom, she quickly found herself spending more money on her ‘babies’ than her own babies and the appreciation of all that our public schools must provide was realized. She took her advocacy to Florida where she has worked with Florida Education Association for 25 years. Mary spent the past 8 years as State Coordinator for Student FEA and co-founded FYRE (Florida's Young Remarkable Educators) both of which she now passes on to alumni of the programs. With 11 grandchildren and a 9-yr old son, Public Education is Mary’s personal and professional passion!
Session Description
Referencing the book “Fierce Conversations”, by Susan Scott, we will review seven principles that serve as a guide to tackling your toughest challenges and enriching relationships with everyone important to your success and happiness through principles, tools, and assignments designed to direct you through your first fierce conversations with yourself on to the most challenging and important conversations facing you. Participants will learn & practice opening statements to tough conversations they need to have.
Building Positive Relationships through Restorative Justice
Presented by Tyrone Terry
Tyrone Terry is a veteran educator with 33 years of teaching experience. He coaches early Career Educators with a focus on educators of color. He is a licensed practitioner in Restorative Practices and is passionate about his work which includes Peace Circles and Restorative Practices. Mr. Terry is currently a Teaching Fellow at the National Education Association (NEA), in the Teacher Quality Department. His work at NEA includes his contribution to the Aspiring Educators program.
Session Description
Restorative discipline practices-- such as peer mediation, community service and post-conflict resolution help students learn from their mistakes, and foster positive, healthy school climates. In such environments, respect and compassion are used along with restorative theory and methods to deepen one’s practice as a restorative practitioner. The methods used include self-inquiry and circle work. Participants will be introduced to why the use of Talking Pieces are important during restorative circles to engage in courageous conversations.
2:30-4:00 PM General Session
with NEA President, Lily Eskelsen Garcia and NEA Secretary-Treasurer, Princess Moss
Ethnic-Minority Affairs Committee Leaders Panel with
American Indian/ Alaska Native Caucus Chair, Tucker Quetone
Asian & Pacific Islander Caucus Chair, Charmaine Hellmund
Black Caucus Chair, Cecily Myart-Cruz
Hispanic Caucus Chair, Gladys Marquez
Ethnic-Minority Affairs Committee Leaders Panel with
American Indian/ Alaska Native Caucus Chair, Tucker Quetone
Asian & Pacific Islander Caucus Chair, Charmaine Hellmund
Black Caucus Chair, Cecily Myart-Cruz
Hispanic Caucus Chair, Gladys Marquez
4:15-4:45 PM Union Communities
Participants will be split into small groups and led by an aspiring educator leader. These groups provide an open environment for authentic discussion about critical issues in education.
5:00-6:00 PM Candidate Meet & Greet
Use this time to meet and get to know the candidates running for Aspiring Educators Chairperson, NEA Board of Directors, and Resolutions Committee.
Information on announced Aspiring Educator Candidates can be found here.
Information on announced Aspiring Educator Candidates can be found here.
6:00-7:00 PM Professional Development Sessions Round #2
Creating an All-Star Team
Presented by Amber Gould and Michael McGowan
Amber Gould is a current state director on the NEA Board, state leader, and local president. She started her leadership journey on the NEA Student Advisory Committee and has been an advocate for the Aspiring Educator program ever since. Michael McGowan, is the chair of the NEA Young Professionals Caucus.
Session Description
In this session, participants will explore what it means to build capacity and analyze their own leadership when it comes to building a strong team with a focus on maintaining strong chapters even after graduation. Participants will also brainstorm a list of their most engaged aspiring educators and ESPs, analyze their strengths, and develop a plan to get them involved in the union. Simulation: will allow participants to create their own all-star lineup and see the gaps in their team. Participants will use post-it notes to jot-thought as many leadership positions they have or want to have to create a successful chapter. They will use the same process to identify all potential leaders. We will then discuss what happens if they need to be a talent scout or a coach! This activity is the basis for the rest of the session which includes a self-reflection component.
Bridging the Gap: A Raw Discussion
Presented by Tera Living
Tera Living is a former Aspiring Educator from Alabama. Tera grew up in Louisiana schools until moving to Alabama for high school and college. She describes herself as “Bayou Made, Bama Raised.” Tera eats, sleeps, and breathes public education and equality for all students. She views herself as a prime example of how education comes full circle.
Session Description
Aspiring Educators will participate in a “Divide and Conquer” exercise in which they divide into a mixture of groups from different regions based on of their state. Groups will consider a series of questions including: What is the culture like for your campus? What is the culture like in the city, area, you intend to teach in? Do you believe you are prepared to teach in the area? Would you be able to teach in my region? Consider Role Reversal…Let’s discuss our Secondary Education Culture and Environment.
Creating a Safe Space for ALL Identities
Presented by Tony Martinet
Tony Martinet is the local president for the Sioux Falls Education Association. He has been a high school educator for 12 years teaching speech, debate, and English courses in Sioux Falls, SD, and Pueblo, CO. He has also served as the GSA advisor at his school and has worked to advocate for student equality issues in the district and state. His passion for supporting the growth and professional respect of educators drives most of his advocacy work.
Session Description
This workshop will explore how classroom language, activities, and school policies may be forcing students and staff to hide or deny their own identities. Participants will complete an activity to reflect on their own identities and what matters to them, and to think about how it feels to have parts of their identity rejected by others. Then participants will have the opportunity to evaluate and redesign classroom lessons and activities to create more inclusive and affirming educational spaces for students. Many of the examples will use an LGBTQ+ lens but the concepts apply to respect all identities.
Help the Face Match the Body: A Diverse Student Body, Yet the Face of Teaching Looks Remarkably Similar
Presented by Eric R. Brown, CarVaughn Page, Everlyn Ramirez, and Homar Rodriguez
Aspiring Educators presenters CarVaughn Page (TN), Everlyn Ramirez (TX), Homar Rodriguez (DE) -- members of the NBI 117 Task Force that created the Report recommendations. They will bring their experiences as aspiring educators of color with them as they engage in discussion and planning with participants on ways to best address the needs of potential and current aspiring educators of color.
Eric R. Brown has been a high school biology teacher at Evanston Township High School (IL) since 1999, and currently serves on the NEA Executive Committee. His commitment to expanding the diversity of the teaching profession has been a lifelong endeavor ever since 5th grade when he had his first, and only, black male pre K - 12 public school teacher.
Session Description
Participants will use the findings and recommendations of the NBI 117 Task Force Report regarding the recruitment and retention of educators of color to develop plans to better attract, organize, and support aspiring educators of color in their programs and chapters. Simulation Activity: After sharing and discussing the task force report recommendations, participants will engage in small group discussions for how to implement one of those recommendations in their own context; whether state program, local chapter, or state affiliate-level. Participants will develop the plan for implementation and share or practice on the session facilitators à la Shark Tank. After the facilitators hear from the groups, they will decide which of the groups would have the "most success." That is not to say, however, that the other groups would not have success.
Decolonizing Your Classroom: Using a Native American Perspective to Promote Inclusion and Equity
Presented by Tucker Quetone
Tucker Quetone is a High School English teacher in Rochester, MN; Chair, NEA American Indian / Alaska Native Caucus; Citizen of the Kiowa Nation and Cherokee Nation.
Session Description
This session will focus on the history of education for American Indian tribes as an example of colonization and institutional racism; Participants will explore the impact of policies and practices in the classroom that still marginalize Native students as well as other ethnic students; Participants also will practice examining examples of curriculum that that highlight both racist and antiracist viewpoints.
Racial & Social Justice in the Classroom & Beyond
Presented by Erika Strauss Chavarria
Erika Strauss Chavarria teaches high school Spanish in Howard County, Maryland. An advocate for racial and social justice, she became a practitioner and trainer of Restorative Justice in an effort to end the School-to-Prison Pipeline. She is currently keeps a restorative classroom. Additionally, she served on the NEA Task Force on the School-to-Prison Pipeline and School Discipline and is now a National Education Association Director representing Maryland, a Director for the Maryland State Education Association, and a Board Member of the organization Racial Justice NOW!
Session Description
This session will focus on racial and social justice advocacy work both in the classroom, within the union, and beyond. The session will highlight how to teach with a racial and social justice lens, as well as the racial justice work being done on the local, state, and national level on issues such as the School-to-Prison Pipeline, immigrant rights, culturally responsive education, Black Lives Matter at School, and more.
Building Positive Relationships through Restorative Justice
Presented by Kali Davis
Kali Davis is an instructional coach in Pinellas County, FL. Her ten years of experience in education includes classroom teacher (2nd and 4th grades), literacy coach, new teacher coach, and instructional coach. Starting her NEA membership as an Aspiring Educator, four years prior to her first teaching job, she’s moved from member to State Student President and active teacher member to the Florida Education Association (FEA) Executive Cabinet. Her wide array of experiences has made her a fierce advocate for not only students, but also for Aspiring Educators and Early Career Educators.
Session Description
Educators can and should identify and implement procedures and routines, effective classroom management systems-- but none of it will matter if you don’t have meaningful relationships with students. Participants will walk away with research-based, high-impact strategies to build relationships with students and families that will result in increased student-learning.
Educators Panel on Current Events: Navigating Challenges in Education
Presented by
Session Description
Hear from current educators (both teachers and education support professionals) regarding the education profession in times of hardship. 2020 has reshaped the way we think of our roles and these education professionals have managed it all. Bring your questions, you won't want to miss this engaging session!
Presented by Amber Gould and Michael McGowan
Amber Gould is a current state director on the NEA Board, state leader, and local president. She started her leadership journey on the NEA Student Advisory Committee and has been an advocate for the Aspiring Educator program ever since. Michael McGowan, is the chair of the NEA Young Professionals Caucus.
Session Description
In this session, participants will explore what it means to build capacity and analyze their own leadership when it comes to building a strong team with a focus on maintaining strong chapters even after graduation. Participants will also brainstorm a list of their most engaged aspiring educators and ESPs, analyze their strengths, and develop a plan to get them involved in the union. Simulation: will allow participants to create their own all-star lineup and see the gaps in their team. Participants will use post-it notes to jot-thought as many leadership positions they have or want to have to create a successful chapter. They will use the same process to identify all potential leaders. We will then discuss what happens if they need to be a talent scout or a coach! This activity is the basis for the rest of the session which includes a self-reflection component.
Bridging the Gap: A Raw Discussion
Presented by Tera Living
Tera Living is a former Aspiring Educator from Alabama. Tera grew up in Louisiana schools until moving to Alabama for high school and college. She describes herself as “Bayou Made, Bama Raised.” Tera eats, sleeps, and breathes public education and equality for all students. She views herself as a prime example of how education comes full circle.
Session Description
Aspiring Educators will participate in a “Divide and Conquer” exercise in which they divide into a mixture of groups from different regions based on of their state. Groups will consider a series of questions including: What is the culture like for your campus? What is the culture like in the city, area, you intend to teach in? Do you believe you are prepared to teach in the area? Would you be able to teach in my region? Consider Role Reversal…Let’s discuss our Secondary Education Culture and Environment.
Creating a Safe Space for ALL Identities
Presented by Tony Martinet
Tony Martinet is the local president for the Sioux Falls Education Association. He has been a high school educator for 12 years teaching speech, debate, and English courses in Sioux Falls, SD, and Pueblo, CO. He has also served as the GSA advisor at his school and has worked to advocate for student equality issues in the district and state. His passion for supporting the growth and professional respect of educators drives most of his advocacy work.
Session Description
This workshop will explore how classroom language, activities, and school policies may be forcing students and staff to hide or deny their own identities. Participants will complete an activity to reflect on their own identities and what matters to them, and to think about how it feels to have parts of their identity rejected by others. Then participants will have the opportunity to evaluate and redesign classroom lessons and activities to create more inclusive and affirming educational spaces for students. Many of the examples will use an LGBTQ+ lens but the concepts apply to respect all identities.
Help the Face Match the Body: A Diverse Student Body, Yet the Face of Teaching Looks Remarkably Similar
Presented by Eric R. Brown, CarVaughn Page, Everlyn Ramirez, and Homar Rodriguez
Aspiring Educators presenters CarVaughn Page (TN), Everlyn Ramirez (TX), Homar Rodriguez (DE) -- members of the NBI 117 Task Force that created the Report recommendations. They will bring their experiences as aspiring educators of color with them as they engage in discussion and planning with participants on ways to best address the needs of potential and current aspiring educators of color.
Eric R. Brown has been a high school biology teacher at Evanston Township High School (IL) since 1999, and currently serves on the NEA Executive Committee. His commitment to expanding the diversity of the teaching profession has been a lifelong endeavor ever since 5th grade when he had his first, and only, black male pre K - 12 public school teacher.
Session Description
Participants will use the findings and recommendations of the NBI 117 Task Force Report regarding the recruitment and retention of educators of color to develop plans to better attract, organize, and support aspiring educators of color in their programs and chapters. Simulation Activity: After sharing and discussing the task force report recommendations, participants will engage in small group discussions for how to implement one of those recommendations in their own context; whether state program, local chapter, or state affiliate-level. Participants will develop the plan for implementation and share or practice on the session facilitators à la Shark Tank. After the facilitators hear from the groups, they will decide which of the groups would have the "most success." That is not to say, however, that the other groups would not have success.
Decolonizing Your Classroom: Using a Native American Perspective to Promote Inclusion and Equity
Presented by Tucker Quetone
Tucker Quetone is a High School English teacher in Rochester, MN; Chair, NEA American Indian / Alaska Native Caucus; Citizen of the Kiowa Nation and Cherokee Nation.
Session Description
This session will focus on the history of education for American Indian tribes as an example of colonization and institutional racism; Participants will explore the impact of policies and practices in the classroom that still marginalize Native students as well as other ethnic students; Participants also will practice examining examples of curriculum that that highlight both racist and antiracist viewpoints.
Racial & Social Justice in the Classroom & Beyond
Presented by Erika Strauss Chavarria
Erika Strauss Chavarria teaches high school Spanish in Howard County, Maryland. An advocate for racial and social justice, she became a practitioner and trainer of Restorative Justice in an effort to end the School-to-Prison Pipeline. She is currently keeps a restorative classroom. Additionally, she served on the NEA Task Force on the School-to-Prison Pipeline and School Discipline and is now a National Education Association Director representing Maryland, a Director for the Maryland State Education Association, and a Board Member of the organization Racial Justice NOW!
Session Description
This session will focus on racial and social justice advocacy work both in the classroom, within the union, and beyond. The session will highlight how to teach with a racial and social justice lens, as well as the racial justice work being done on the local, state, and national level on issues such as the School-to-Prison Pipeline, immigrant rights, culturally responsive education, Black Lives Matter at School, and more.
Building Positive Relationships through Restorative Justice
Presented by Kali Davis
Kali Davis is an instructional coach in Pinellas County, FL. Her ten years of experience in education includes classroom teacher (2nd and 4th grades), literacy coach, new teacher coach, and instructional coach. Starting her NEA membership as an Aspiring Educator, four years prior to her first teaching job, she’s moved from member to State Student President and active teacher member to the Florida Education Association (FEA) Executive Cabinet. Her wide array of experiences has made her a fierce advocate for not only students, but also for Aspiring Educators and Early Career Educators.
Session Description
Educators can and should identify and implement procedures and routines, effective classroom management systems-- but none of it will matter if you don’t have meaningful relationships with students. Participants will walk away with research-based, high-impact strategies to build relationships with students and families that will result in increased student-learning.
Educators Panel on Current Events: Navigating Challenges in Education
Presented by
Session Description
Hear from current educators (both teachers and education support professionals) regarding the education profession in times of hardship. 2020 has reshaped the way we think of our roles and these education professionals have managed it all. Bring your questions, you won't want to miss this engaging session!
7:15-8:00 PM Self-Care Session: Tea Talks with Erin Gruwell, Freedom Writers Teacher
In these times, we all need a brave space to have honest dialogue with others around us. We might be across the country, but we're in this together. Join us for an afternoon tea talk session.
9:45-10:30 AM Self-Care Session: Art
This self-care session will use art as a method of self-care and self-love. No art experience needed, come one, come all!
1:00-2:00 PM Professional Development Sessions Round #3
Making a Plan for Student Loans & Student Loan Forgiveness Options
Presented by Aaron Warner
Aaron Warner is an Affiliate Relations Specialist with NEA Member Benefits. Aaron’s prior experience was with the NEA’s Auto & Home Insurance Program where he worked with NEA members writing auto & home insurance for almost 20 years. More recently, he has worked with members on the topic of personal finance and student loan forgiveness for most of his five plus years with NEA Member Benefits. Aaron was also a part of the team that helped to develop the NEA Student Loan Forgiveness Navigator powered by SAVI into what it is today.
Session Description
Though there are options for Student Loan Forgiveness, not everyone seeks these when they think of their student loans. Some just seek a more manageable payment to deal with the month to month struggle of paying them. In this session we will explore all of the options. In addition, you will be introduced to the NEA Student Loan Forgiveness Navigator powered by SAVI. This new tool has been a game changer for those members who are trying to better understand their federal student loan choices. In the end, we will be helping you to set forth a plan to finally deal with your loans in the most efficient and effective way possible.
It's Elementary! Resources for LGBTQ Inclusive Schools
Presented by Cheryl Greene
Cheryl Greene is passionate about making school a place where all children can thrive. Currently at Welcoming Schools, she directs professional development programs across the North America. Welcoming Schools trains and equips facilitators to provide professional development, support and resources to make elementary schools welcoming for all students and families. Before joining Welcoming Schools, Cheryl was a teacher, school leader and bullying prevention specialist for over two decades. She learned that, until students feel safe, respected and valued, very little learning occurs. She has done research on bullying prevention strategies, established and created Hamline University’s Graduate Bullying Prevention Certificate Program.
Session Description
What do you say to “That’s so gay”? How do you embrace the complexity of families so everyone feels welcomed at your school? In this workshop, we will highlight the abundance of resources available to educators from the Welcoming Schools program, such as professional development, lesson plans, books and FAQ sheets with responses to commonly asked questions about LGBTQ topics.
Help the Face Match the Body: A Diverse Student Body, Yet the Face of Teaching Looks Remarkably Similar
Presented by Eric R. Brown, CarVaughn Page, Everlyn Ramirez, and Homar Rodriguez
Aspiring Educators presenters CarVaughn Page (TN), Everlyn Ramirez (TX), Homar Rodriguez (DE) -- members of the NBI 117 Task Force that created the Report recommendations. They will bring their experiences as aspiring educators of color with them as they engage in discussion and planning with participants on ways to best address the needs of potential and current aspiring educators of color.
Eric R. Brown has been a high school biology teacher at Evanston Township High School (IL) since 1999, and currently serves on the NEA Executive Committee. His commitment to expanding the diversity of the teaching profession has been a lifelong endeavor ever since 5th grade when he had his first, and only, black male pre K - 12 public school teacher.
Session Description
Participants will use the findings and recommendations of the NBI 117 Task Force Report regarding the recruitment and retention of educators of color to develop plans to better attract, organize, and support aspiring educators of color in their programs and chapters. Simulation Activity: After sharing and discussing the task force report recommendations, participants will engage in small group discussions for how to implement one of those recommendations in their own context; whether state program, local chapter, or state affiliate-level. Participants will develop the plan for implementation and share or practice on the session facilitators à la Shark Tank. After the facilitators hear from the groups, they will decide which of the groups would have the "most success." That is not to say, however, that the other groups would not have success.
Decolonizing Your Classroom: Using a Native American Perspective to Promote Inclusion and Equity
Presented by Tucker Quetone
Tucker Quetone is a High School English teacher in Rochester, MN; Chair, NEA American Indian / Alaska Native Caucus; Citizen of the Kiowa Nation and Cherokee Nation.
Session Description
This session will focus on the history of education for American Indian tribes as an example of colonization and institutional racism; Participants will explore the impact of policies and practices in the classroom that still marginalize Native students as well as other ethnic students; Participants also will practice examining examples of curriculum that that highlight both racist and antiracist viewpoints.
Racial & Social Justice in the Classroom & Beyond
Presented by Erika Strauss Chavarria
Erika Strauss Chavarria teaches high school Spanish in Howard County, Maryland. An advocate for racial and social justice, she became a practitioner and trainer of Restorative Justice in an effort to end the School-to-Prison Pipeline. She is currently keeps a restorative classroom. Additionally, she served on the NEA Task Force on the School-to-Prison Pipeline and School Discipline and is now a National Education Association Director representing Maryland, a Director for the Maryland State Education Association, and a Board Member of the organization Racial Justice NOW!
Session Description
This session will focus on racial and social justice advocacy work both in the classroom, within the union, and beyond. The session will highlight how to teach with a racial and social justice lens, as well as the racial justice work being done on the local, state, and national level on issues such as the School-to-Prison Pipeline, immigrant rights, culturally responsive education, Black Lives Matter at School, and more.
The Charge for Social Justice: Early Career Educators & Leadership
Presented by Krishawna Goins
Krishawna Goins is an early career elementary educator in Virginia. A graduate of The Pennsylvania State University, she was very involved in college serving 4 years as local and regional PAC coordinator, interning for The Walt Disney Company, and working closely within university leadership to impact change on policy and curriculum for aspiring educators. She has since leveraged her leadership qualities and passion to become the Equity Leader for her school where she supports teachers through professional development and coaching. Krishawna’s classroom is an environment where she bridges project based learning and social justice to nurture a community of change-makers.
Session Description
In this session we’ll see how first year teachers and early career educators can use their unique passions and expertise to affect real change in schools. Participants will explore their own leadership identity, learning strategies for managing up, resources and best practices in social justice in the classroom to build their own tool belt, dive deep into a curricular planning simulation. Educators will be challenged to infuse lesson plans aligned with Common Core or state standards with new and impactful Social Justice learning outcomes. Working in small groups they will learn to advocate for changes they made and begin exercising their voices and leadership to inspire others to implement their changes. Through this simulation, aspiring educators will begin using the resources received and leverage knowledge of instructional planning to begin advocating for socially just practices within schools.
Session Link: Early Career Advocacy Journal
Fierce Conversations
Presented by Mary Proud
Mary began teaching Head Start in Washington, DC. As a single mom, she quickly found herself spending more money on her ‘babies’ than her own babies and the appreciation of all that our public schools must provide was realized. She took her advocacy to Florida where she has worked with Florida Education Association for 25 years. Mary spent the past 8 years as State Coordinator for Student FEA and co-founded FYRE (Florida's Young Remarkable Educators) both of which she now passes on to alumni of the programs. With 11 grandchildren and a 9-yr old son, Public Education is Mary’s personal and professional passion!
Session Description
Referencing the book “Fierce Conversations”, by Susan Scott, we will review seven principles that serve as a guide to tackling your toughest challenges and enriching relationships with everyone important to your success and happiness through principles, tools, and assignments designed to direct you through your first fierce conversations with yourself on to the most challenging and important conversations facing you. Participants will learn & practice opening statements to tough conversations they need to have.
Educators Panel on Current Events: Navigating Challenges in Education
Presented by
Session Description
Hear from current educators (both teachers and education support professionals) regarding the education profession in times of hardship. 2020 has reshaped the way we think of our roles and these education professionals have managed it all. Bring your questions, you won't want to miss this engaging session!
Presented by Aaron Warner
Aaron Warner is an Affiliate Relations Specialist with NEA Member Benefits. Aaron’s prior experience was with the NEA’s Auto & Home Insurance Program where he worked with NEA members writing auto & home insurance for almost 20 years. More recently, he has worked with members on the topic of personal finance and student loan forgiveness for most of his five plus years with NEA Member Benefits. Aaron was also a part of the team that helped to develop the NEA Student Loan Forgiveness Navigator powered by SAVI into what it is today.
Session Description
Though there are options for Student Loan Forgiveness, not everyone seeks these when they think of their student loans. Some just seek a more manageable payment to deal with the month to month struggle of paying them. In this session we will explore all of the options. In addition, you will be introduced to the NEA Student Loan Forgiveness Navigator powered by SAVI. This new tool has been a game changer for those members who are trying to better understand their federal student loan choices. In the end, we will be helping you to set forth a plan to finally deal with your loans in the most efficient and effective way possible.
It's Elementary! Resources for LGBTQ Inclusive Schools
Presented by Cheryl Greene
Cheryl Greene is passionate about making school a place where all children can thrive. Currently at Welcoming Schools, she directs professional development programs across the North America. Welcoming Schools trains and equips facilitators to provide professional development, support and resources to make elementary schools welcoming for all students and families. Before joining Welcoming Schools, Cheryl was a teacher, school leader and bullying prevention specialist for over two decades. She learned that, until students feel safe, respected and valued, very little learning occurs. She has done research on bullying prevention strategies, established and created Hamline University’s Graduate Bullying Prevention Certificate Program.
Session Description
What do you say to “That’s so gay”? How do you embrace the complexity of families so everyone feels welcomed at your school? In this workshop, we will highlight the abundance of resources available to educators from the Welcoming Schools program, such as professional development, lesson plans, books and FAQ sheets with responses to commonly asked questions about LGBTQ topics.
Help the Face Match the Body: A Diverse Student Body, Yet the Face of Teaching Looks Remarkably Similar
Presented by Eric R. Brown, CarVaughn Page, Everlyn Ramirez, and Homar Rodriguez
Aspiring Educators presenters CarVaughn Page (TN), Everlyn Ramirez (TX), Homar Rodriguez (DE) -- members of the NBI 117 Task Force that created the Report recommendations. They will bring their experiences as aspiring educators of color with them as they engage in discussion and planning with participants on ways to best address the needs of potential and current aspiring educators of color.
Eric R. Brown has been a high school biology teacher at Evanston Township High School (IL) since 1999, and currently serves on the NEA Executive Committee. His commitment to expanding the diversity of the teaching profession has been a lifelong endeavor ever since 5th grade when he had his first, and only, black male pre K - 12 public school teacher.
Session Description
Participants will use the findings and recommendations of the NBI 117 Task Force Report regarding the recruitment and retention of educators of color to develop plans to better attract, organize, and support aspiring educators of color in their programs and chapters. Simulation Activity: After sharing and discussing the task force report recommendations, participants will engage in small group discussions for how to implement one of those recommendations in their own context; whether state program, local chapter, or state affiliate-level. Participants will develop the plan for implementation and share or practice on the session facilitators à la Shark Tank. After the facilitators hear from the groups, they will decide which of the groups would have the "most success." That is not to say, however, that the other groups would not have success.
Decolonizing Your Classroom: Using a Native American Perspective to Promote Inclusion and Equity
Presented by Tucker Quetone
Tucker Quetone is a High School English teacher in Rochester, MN; Chair, NEA American Indian / Alaska Native Caucus; Citizen of the Kiowa Nation and Cherokee Nation.
Session Description
This session will focus on the history of education for American Indian tribes as an example of colonization and institutional racism; Participants will explore the impact of policies and practices in the classroom that still marginalize Native students as well as other ethnic students; Participants also will practice examining examples of curriculum that that highlight both racist and antiracist viewpoints.
Racial & Social Justice in the Classroom & Beyond
Presented by Erika Strauss Chavarria
Erika Strauss Chavarria teaches high school Spanish in Howard County, Maryland. An advocate for racial and social justice, she became a practitioner and trainer of Restorative Justice in an effort to end the School-to-Prison Pipeline. She is currently keeps a restorative classroom. Additionally, she served on the NEA Task Force on the School-to-Prison Pipeline and School Discipline and is now a National Education Association Director representing Maryland, a Director for the Maryland State Education Association, and a Board Member of the organization Racial Justice NOW!
Session Description
This session will focus on racial and social justice advocacy work both in the classroom, within the union, and beyond. The session will highlight how to teach with a racial and social justice lens, as well as the racial justice work being done on the local, state, and national level on issues such as the School-to-Prison Pipeline, immigrant rights, culturally responsive education, Black Lives Matter at School, and more.
The Charge for Social Justice: Early Career Educators & Leadership
Presented by Krishawna Goins
Krishawna Goins is an early career elementary educator in Virginia. A graduate of The Pennsylvania State University, she was very involved in college serving 4 years as local and regional PAC coordinator, interning for The Walt Disney Company, and working closely within university leadership to impact change on policy and curriculum for aspiring educators. She has since leveraged her leadership qualities and passion to become the Equity Leader for her school where she supports teachers through professional development and coaching. Krishawna’s classroom is an environment where she bridges project based learning and social justice to nurture a community of change-makers.
Session Description
In this session we’ll see how first year teachers and early career educators can use their unique passions and expertise to affect real change in schools. Participants will explore their own leadership identity, learning strategies for managing up, resources and best practices in social justice in the classroom to build their own tool belt, dive deep into a curricular planning simulation. Educators will be challenged to infuse lesson plans aligned with Common Core or state standards with new and impactful Social Justice learning outcomes. Working in small groups they will learn to advocate for changes they made and begin exercising their voices and leadership to inspire others to implement their changes. Through this simulation, aspiring educators will begin using the resources received and leverage knowledge of instructional planning to begin advocating for socially just practices within schools.
Session Link: Early Career Advocacy Journal
Fierce Conversations
Presented by Mary Proud
Mary began teaching Head Start in Washington, DC. As a single mom, she quickly found herself spending more money on her ‘babies’ than her own babies and the appreciation of all that our public schools must provide was realized. She took her advocacy to Florida where she has worked with Florida Education Association for 25 years. Mary spent the past 8 years as State Coordinator for Student FEA and co-founded FYRE (Florida's Young Remarkable Educators) both of which she now passes on to alumni of the programs. With 11 grandchildren and a 9-yr old son, Public Education is Mary’s personal and professional passion!
Session Description
Referencing the book “Fierce Conversations”, by Susan Scott, we will review seven principles that serve as a guide to tackling your toughest challenges and enriching relationships with everyone important to your success and happiness through principles, tools, and assignments designed to direct you through your first fierce conversations with yourself on to the most challenging and important conversations facing you. Participants will learn & practice opening statements to tough conversations they need to have.
Educators Panel on Current Events: Navigating Challenges in Education
Presented by
Session Description
Hear from current educators (both teachers and education support professionals) regarding the education profession in times of hardship. 2020 has reshaped the way we think of our roles and these education professionals have managed it all. Bring your questions, you won't want to miss this engaging session!
2:30-4:00 PM General Session
This session will feature the Aspiring Educator Candidate Speeches and Q&A. All delegates and non-delegates are required to attend.
Information on announced Aspiring Educator Candidates can be found here.
Information on announced Aspiring Educator Candidates can be found here.
4:15-4:45 PM Union Communities
Participants will be split into small groups and led by an aspiring educator leader. These groups provide an open environment for authentic discussion about critical issues in education.
5:00-6:00 PM Candidate Meet & Greet
Use this time to meet and get to know the candidates running for Aspiring Educators Chairperson, NEA Board of Directors, and Resolutions Committee.
Information on announced Aspiring Educator Candidates can be found here.
Information on announced Aspiring Educator Candidates can be found here.
6:00-7:00 PM Professional Development Sessions Round #4
Understanding Trauma In and Out of the Classroom
Presented by Caren Burns and CJ Gebhardt
Caren Burns is learning to be an anti-racist educator who teaches sixth grade in Salt Lake City, Utah and volunteers as an advisor to the Utah Education Association's Aspiring Educator program. Caren is a trauma-informed trainer of trainers for the Utah Education Association, was elected to the Executive Committee for the Salt Lake County Democrats, and is a Utah Hope Street Fellow. She is a white ally member of her local Black Lives Matter Chapter and has worked with her school district and local association to bring trainings on trauma informed practices, and racial and social justice to her school district.
CJ Gebhardt is an elementary educator who teaches sixth grade in West Valley, Utah and was the 2018-2019 Chair of the Utah Education Association Aspiring Educators program (UEA-AE). CJ was a mentor to the UEA-AE program this year and was a Policy Ambassador for the Utah Education Association. She incorporated trauma-informed learning into her first year of teaching in a low socioeconomic school while handling distance learning.
Session Description
This session will provide an informative combination of presentations and hands on activities. Participants will begin by learning about the ACEs and the impacts of trauma on the brain, then move into concrete examples of how to help students in trauma regulate emotions and build positive relationships. During our session, the presenter will model a peace circle, mindfulness techniques, and restorative practices. We will also be making a take home guide that can be referenced for future classrooms or leadership scenarios. This is a fast paced and informative session with hands-on activities and practices that can be used daily in a classroom or in a variety of leadership situations.
Creating a Safe Space for ALL Identities
Presented by Tony Martinet
Tony Martinet is the local president for the Sioux Falls Education Association. He has been a high school educator for 12 years teaching speech, debate, and English courses in Sioux Falls, SD, and Pueblo, CO. He has also served as the GSA advisor at his school and has worked to advocate for student equality issues in the district and state. His passion for supporting the growth and professional respect of educators drives most of his advocacy work.
Session Description
This workshop will explore how classroom language, activities, and school policies may be forcing students and staff to hide or deny their own identities. Participants will complete an activity to reflect on their own identities and what matters to them, and to think about how it feels to have parts of their identity rejected by others. Then participants will have the opportunity to evaluate and redesign classroom lessons and activities to create more inclusive and affirming educational spaces for students. Many of the examples will use an LGBTQ+ lens but the concepts apply to respect all identities.
Aspiring Educators: A New Wave of Activists
Presented by Nancy Melendez and Shawna Mott-Wright
Nancy Melendez has been an OEA member for almost 5 years. She was the last SOEA State President and the first OAEA State President in OEA history. Nancy has served on the NEA Advisory Committee on Aspiring Educators and the NEA WIC as the Aspiring Educator Representative. She also held leadership positions in her Student Government Association, is a member of the Hispanic American Leadership Organization, and she worked full time throughout her college experience, first at the local Sheriff’s Department, and then at a local physicians clinic. Nancy leads wherever she goes.
Shawna Mott-Wright is the NEA Director for Oklahoma, the Tulsa Classroom Teachers Association Vice President, TCTA President-Elect, and co-founder of the Tulsa Parent Legislative Action Committee. You’ll often find her lobbying at the Capitol, both at the state and national level. Shawna is a passionate advocate who’s concerned not with credit, but results. She is unrelenting in her Christian faith, because as public schools, we take everyone, actions speak louder than words, and faith without works is dead! She is a Praise & Worship leader, a candidate for State Senate, and most important of all, mom to Collin and Kennedy.
Session Description
Aspiring Educators will carry our union’s work inside and outside the classroom as current educators have done. They will learn how local associations can partner with aspiring educators to ensure a smoother transition into the profession in a union that fully supports them. We will plan ways for a new wave of educators to be the raging force advocating for colleagues and students. This session will provide focused time engaged in discussion involving all members. Aspiring Educators participate in discussion activities involving finding ways of communicating with local associations to exchange current and future union plans and work together to come up with ideas involving groups working towards common goals. Electronic equipment will also be utilized to provide for visual content for all attendees and be a resource for later review. Collectively, we will devise new and innovative ways to remain engaged and keep communication pathways open.
Racial and Social Justice in the Classroom
Presented by Turquoise LeJeune Parker
Turquoise LeJeune Parker is a graduate of North Carolina Central University, the Vice President of the Durham Association of Educators, and Media Coordinator and Racial and Social Justice teacher of Mrs. Parker’s Professors at Lakewood Elementary School in Durham, North Carolina. She was a key organizer both in NCAE’s Organize 2020 caucus—the strategic force behind the mobilization--and in Durham County—the first local to organize and inspire other locals to join the mobilization. Mrs. Parker has spoken at The Harvard Law School twice, Democracy Alliance Conference, Boston Teachers Union Conference, Staff Development for Educators National Conference, Guest lecturer at several universities and many other events.
Session Description
This session is geared toward educators who want to be intentional about the racial and social diversity inclusion in their instruction and learning community. Session information and activities will enhance teachers’ understanding of the impact that biased pedagogy has had on one’s instruction, building knowledge to challenge and change this, and mapping a plan to do so. Increase your skills as a passionate, generous, racial and social justice teacher.
Creating an All-Star Team
Presented by Amber Gould and Michael McGowan
Amber Gould is a current state director on the NEA Board, state leader, and local president. She started her leadership journey on the NEA Student Advisory Committee and has been an advocate for the Aspiring Educator program ever since. Michael McGowan, is the chair of the NEA Young Professionals Caucus.
Session Description
In this session, participants will explore what it means to build capacity and analyze their own leadership when it comes to building a strong team with a focus on maintaining strong chapters even after graduation. Participants will also brainstorm a list of their most engaged aspiring educators and ESPs, analyze their strengths, and develop a plan to get them involved in the union. Simulation: will allow participants to create their own all-star lineup and see the gaps in their team. Participants will use post-it notes to jot-thought as many leadership positions they have or want to have to create a successful chapter. They will use the same process to identify all potential leaders. We will then discuss what happens if they need to be a talent scout or a coach! This activity is the basis for the rest of the session which includes a self-reflection component.
Creating Powerful Partnerships: School, Community, & Home
Presented by Lindsey Jensen
Lindsey Jensen is the 2018 Illinois Teacher of the Year, and the 2020 NEA Foundation of Teaching Excellence Illinois Awardee. She has over fifteen years of educational experience, holds a Bachelor’s degree in Speech Communication from Southern Illinois University, a Master’s degree in Secondary English Education from Oakland City University, and a Doctorate in Teaching and Learning from Illinois State University. She serves on the Illinois State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board as an Illinois Education Association representative. Ms. Jensen has delivered over 100 keynotes at Northwestern University, SXSWEdu, The National Association of Teacher Educators Conference, The Raising Student Achievement Conference, and WITCon. She is a proud public school teacher and Academic Dean in Dwight, Illinois.
Session Description
This session is dedicated to equipping future educators with the necessary skills to cultivate powerful partnerships between school, community, and home. Focus is on effective family engagement: a full, equal, and equitable partnership among families, educators, and community partners to promote children’s learning and development from birth through college and career. Simulation Activity: a small group exercise will require participants to examine their core beliefs/biases. Focus is on how partnering with families and communities will: contribute to one’s own sense of accomplishment; reduce their feelings of isolation; break down race and class hierarchies; creative productive teams of allies that surround and support the whole child; cultivate mutual respect between school and home; transform the instinct to be defensive; and break down the “us-versus-them” dynamic that is too prevalent in education.
Building Relationships with Students and Families
Presented by Kali Davis
Kali Davis is an instructional coach in Pinellas County, FL. Her ten years of experience in education includes classroom teacher (2nd and 4th grades), literacy coach, new teacher coach, and instructional coach. Starting her NEA membership as an Aspiring Educator, four years prior to her first teaching job, she’s moved from member to State Student President and active teacher member to the Florida Education Association (FEA) Executive Cabinet. Her wide array of experiences has made her a fierce advocate for not only students, but also for Aspiring Educators and Early Career Educators.
Session Description
Educators can and should identify and implement procedures and routines, effective classroom management systems-- but none of it will matter if you don’t have meaningful relationships with students. Participants will walk away with research-based, high-impact strategies to build relationships with students and families that will result in increased student-learning.
Bridging the Gap: A Raw Discussion
Presented by Tera Living
Tera Living is a former Aspiring Educator from Alabama. Tera grew up in Louisiana schools until moving to Alabama for high school and college. She describes herself as “Bayou Made, Bama Raised.” Tera eats, sleeps, and breathes public education and equality for all students. She views herself as a prime example of how education comes full circle.
Session Description
Aspiring Educators will participate in a “Divide and Conquer” exercise in which they divide into a mixture of groups from different regions based on of their state. Groups will consider a series of questions including: What is the culture like for your campus? What is the culture like in the city, area, you intend to teach in? Do you believe you are prepared to teach in the area? Would you be able to teach in my region? Consider Role Reversal…Let’s discuss our Secondary Education Culture and Environment.
Presented by Caren Burns and CJ Gebhardt
Caren Burns is learning to be an anti-racist educator who teaches sixth grade in Salt Lake City, Utah and volunteers as an advisor to the Utah Education Association's Aspiring Educator program. Caren is a trauma-informed trainer of trainers for the Utah Education Association, was elected to the Executive Committee for the Salt Lake County Democrats, and is a Utah Hope Street Fellow. She is a white ally member of her local Black Lives Matter Chapter and has worked with her school district and local association to bring trainings on trauma informed practices, and racial and social justice to her school district.
CJ Gebhardt is an elementary educator who teaches sixth grade in West Valley, Utah and was the 2018-2019 Chair of the Utah Education Association Aspiring Educators program (UEA-AE). CJ was a mentor to the UEA-AE program this year and was a Policy Ambassador for the Utah Education Association. She incorporated trauma-informed learning into her first year of teaching in a low socioeconomic school while handling distance learning.
Session Description
This session will provide an informative combination of presentations and hands on activities. Participants will begin by learning about the ACEs and the impacts of trauma on the brain, then move into concrete examples of how to help students in trauma regulate emotions and build positive relationships. During our session, the presenter will model a peace circle, mindfulness techniques, and restorative practices. We will also be making a take home guide that can be referenced for future classrooms or leadership scenarios. This is a fast paced and informative session with hands-on activities and practices that can be used daily in a classroom or in a variety of leadership situations.
Creating a Safe Space for ALL Identities
Presented by Tony Martinet
Tony Martinet is the local president for the Sioux Falls Education Association. He has been a high school educator for 12 years teaching speech, debate, and English courses in Sioux Falls, SD, and Pueblo, CO. He has also served as the GSA advisor at his school and has worked to advocate for student equality issues in the district and state. His passion for supporting the growth and professional respect of educators drives most of his advocacy work.
Session Description
This workshop will explore how classroom language, activities, and school policies may be forcing students and staff to hide or deny their own identities. Participants will complete an activity to reflect on their own identities and what matters to them, and to think about how it feels to have parts of their identity rejected by others. Then participants will have the opportunity to evaluate and redesign classroom lessons and activities to create more inclusive and affirming educational spaces for students. Many of the examples will use an LGBTQ+ lens but the concepts apply to respect all identities.
Aspiring Educators: A New Wave of Activists
Presented by Nancy Melendez and Shawna Mott-Wright
Nancy Melendez has been an OEA member for almost 5 years. She was the last SOEA State President and the first OAEA State President in OEA history. Nancy has served on the NEA Advisory Committee on Aspiring Educators and the NEA WIC as the Aspiring Educator Representative. She also held leadership positions in her Student Government Association, is a member of the Hispanic American Leadership Organization, and she worked full time throughout her college experience, first at the local Sheriff’s Department, and then at a local physicians clinic. Nancy leads wherever she goes.
Shawna Mott-Wright is the NEA Director for Oklahoma, the Tulsa Classroom Teachers Association Vice President, TCTA President-Elect, and co-founder of the Tulsa Parent Legislative Action Committee. You’ll often find her lobbying at the Capitol, both at the state and national level. Shawna is a passionate advocate who’s concerned not with credit, but results. She is unrelenting in her Christian faith, because as public schools, we take everyone, actions speak louder than words, and faith without works is dead! She is a Praise & Worship leader, a candidate for State Senate, and most important of all, mom to Collin and Kennedy.
Session Description
Aspiring Educators will carry our union’s work inside and outside the classroom as current educators have done. They will learn how local associations can partner with aspiring educators to ensure a smoother transition into the profession in a union that fully supports them. We will plan ways for a new wave of educators to be the raging force advocating for colleagues and students. This session will provide focused time engaged in discussion involving all members. Aspiring Educators participate in discussion activities involving finding ways of communicating with local associations to exchange current and future union plans and work together to come up with ideas involving groups working towards common goals. Electronic equipment will also be utilized to provide for visual content for all attendees and be a resource for later review. Collectively, we will devise new and innovative ways to remain engaged and keep communication pathways open.
Racial and Social Justice in the Classroom
Presented by Turquoise LeJeune Parker
Turquoise LeJeune Parker is a graduate of North Carolina Central University, the Vice President of the Durham Association of Educators, and Media Coordinator and Racial and Social Justice teacher of Mrs. Parker’s Professors at Lakewood Elementary School in Durham, North Carolina. She was a key organizer both in NCAE’s Organize 2020 caucus—the strategic force behind the mobilization--and in Durham County—the first local to organize and inspire other locals to join the mobilization. Mrs. Parker has spoken at The Harvard Law School twice, Democracy Alliance Conference, Boston Teachers Union Conference, Staff Development for Educators National Conference, Guest lecturer at several universities and many other events.
Session Description
This session is geared toward educators who want to be intentional about the racial and social diversity inclusion in their instruction and learning community. Session information and activities will enhance teachers’ understanding of the impact that biased pedagogy has had on one’s instruction, building knowledge to challenge and change this, and mapping a plan to do so. Increase your skills as a passionate, generous, racial and social justice teacher.
Creating an All-Star Team
Presented by Amber Gould and Michael McGowan
Amber Gould is a current state director on the NEA Board, state leader, and local president. She started her leadership journey on the NEA Student Advisory Committee and has been an advocate for the Aspiring Educator program ever since. Michael McGowan, is the chair of the NEA Young Professionals Caucus.
Session Description
In this session, participants will explore what it means to build capacity and analyze their own leadership when it comes to building a strong team with a focus on maintaining strong chapters even after graduation. Participants will also brainstorm a list of their most engaged aspiring educators and ESPs, analyze their strengths, and develop a plan to get them involved in the union. Simulation: will allow participants to create their own all-star lineup and see the gaps in their team. Participants will use post-it notes to jot-thought as many leadership positions they have or want to have to create a successful chapter. They will use the same process to identify all potential leaders. We will then discuss what happens if they need to be a talent scout or a coach! This activity is the basis for the rest of the session which includes a self-reflection component.
Creating Powerful Partnerships: School, Community, & Home
Presented by Lindsey Jensen
Lindsey Jensen is the 2018 Illinois Teacher of the Year, and the 2020 NEA Foundation of Teaching Excellence Illinois Awardee. She has over fifteen years of educational experience, holds a Bachelor’s degree in Speech Communication from Southern Illinois University, a Master’s degree in Secondary English Education from Oakland City University, and a Doctorate in Teaching and Learning from Illinois State University. She serves on the Illinois State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board as an Illinois Education Association representative. Ms. Jensen has delivered over 100 keynotes at Northwestern University, SXSWEdu, The National Association of Teacher Educators Conference, The Raising Student Achievement Conference, and WITCon. She is a proud public school teacher and Academic Dean in Dwight, Illinois.
Session Description
This session is dedicated to equipping future educators with the necessary skills to cultivate powerful partnerships between school, community, and home. Focus is on effective family engagement: a full, equal, and equitable partnership among families, educators, and community partners to promote children’s learning and development from birth through college and career. Simulation Activity: a small group exercise will require participants to examine their core beliefs/biases. Focus is on how partnering with families and communities will: contribute to one’s own sense of accomplishment; reduce their feelings of isolation; break down race and class hierarchies; creative productive teams of allies that surround and support the whole child; cultivate mutual respect between school and home; transform the instinct to be defensive; and break down the “us-versus-them” dynamic that is too prevalent in education.
Building Relationships with Students and Families
Presented by Kali Davis
Kali Davis is an instructional coach in Pinellas County, FL. Her ten years of experience in education includes classroom teacher (2nd and 4th grades), literacy coach, new teacher coach, and instructional coach. Starting her NEA membership as an Aspiring Educator, four years prior to her first teaching job, she’s moved from member to State Student President and active teacher member to the Florida Education Association (FEA) Executive Cabinet. Her wide array of experiences has made her a fierce advocate for not only students, but also for Aspiring Educators and Early Career Educators.
Session Description
Educators can and should identify and implement procedures and routines, effective classroom management systems-- but none of it will matter if you don’t have meaningful relationships with students. Participants will walk away with research-based, high-impact strategies to build relationships with students and families that will result in increased student-learning.
Bridging the Gap: A Raw Discussion
Presented by Tera Living
Tera Living is a former Aspiring Educator from Alabama. Tera grew up in Louisiana schools until moving to Alabama for high school and college. She describes herself as “Bayou Made, Bama Raised.” Tera eats, sleeps, and breathes public education and equality for all students. She views herself as a prime example of how education comes full circle.
Session Description
Aspiring Educators will participate in a “Divide and Conquer” exercise in which they divide into a mixture of groups from different regions based on of their state. Groups will consider a series of questions including: What is the culture like for your campus? What is the culture like in the city, area, you intend to teach in? Do you believe you are prepared to teach in the area? Would you be able to teach in my region? Consider Role Reversal…Let’s discuss our Secondary Education Culture and Environment.
7:15-8:00 PM Self-Care Session: Yoga
Staring at a device all day, sitting in chairs and talking over zoom? If that sounds familiar, you might need to join us for an afternoon yoga session. Deep breaths and stretches, you deserve this time.
8:30-10:00 After Hours PAC Party
Who doesn't love a night of games? Join this interactive night of fun with conference attendees across the country.
10:00-10:45 AM Self-Care Session: Guided Meditation
This self-care session will use a guided meditation experience to help us re-energize and uplift our mind, body, and spirit. Don't miss this last chance for self-care at the conference!
11:00 AM-12:00 PM Candidate Meet & Greet
Use this time to meet and get to know the candidates running for Aspiring Educators Chairperson, NEA Board of Directors, and Resolutions Committee.
Information on announced Aspiring Educator Candidates can be found here.
Information on announced Aspiring Educator Candidates can be found here.
2:30-4:00 PM General Session
Let's end the Aspiring Educators Conference together. We'll host an Awards and Recognition Ceremony, too.